Clay supply and implement holder



March 17, 1970 A. J. SOLO 3,501,018

CLAY SUPPLY AND IMPLEMENT HOLDER Filed July 22, 1968 INVENTOR.

ALAN J. SOLO 4rrae/zys United States Patent U.S. Cl. 211-60 4 Claims ABSTRACT OF THE DISCLOSURE A holder for a clay supply container having a noteworthy compact construction including a rotatable base having spaced apart triangular structures thereon, the inner facing walls of which serve to firmly engage whichever one of a wide range of different diameter supply containers is wedged between these walls.

The present invention relates generally to sculpturing aids and more particularly to an improved holder for a clay supply container, as well as for the usual sculpturing implements, which significantly contributes to the convenience of use of these materials.

Typically, sculpturing clay is supplied in a cylindrical can or container which if left in its usual upright position requires reaching in by the user and thereby entails some inconvenience, particularly as the clay supply nears depletion. Turned on its side, the container must be prevented from rolling. There is thus a need for a holder for a clay supply can that presents the clay in a manner facilitating its use. The holder must also readily accommodate different sizes of cans as well as the numerous clay-manipulating implements used in sculpturing.

Broadly, it is an object to provide an improved holder for a clay supply container achieving the foregoing and other commercial requirements. Specifically, it is an object to provide a compactly constructed holder which readily accommodates any one of a wide range of diameters of clay supply cans, conveniently presents both the can and the sculpturing implements for use, and yet is susceptible of economical mass production.

A clay supply container holder demonstrating objects and advantages of the present invention includes a rotatably mounted base member provided with triangular structures along opposite edges of the base member, each of which is formed by a pair of converging walls such that the inner facing walls bound a wedge-shaped compartment adapted to readily accommodate different sizes of clay supply cans and the outwardly facing walls serve as convenient supports for the clay-manipulating implements.

The above brief description, as well as further objects, features and advantages of the present invention, will be more fully appreciated by reference to the following detailed description of a presently preferred, but nonetheless illustrative embodiment in accordance with the pres ent invention, when taken in conjunction with the ac companying drawings, wherein:

FIGURE 1 is a perspecive view of a holding device for a clay supply container and for clay-manipulating implements according to the present invention;

FIGURE 2 is a front elevational view illustrating further structural features and wherein it is illustrated how different sizes of containers are accommodated in the holding device, such containers being illustrated in full line and phantom line perspective; and

FIGURE 3 is a side elevational view of the holding device illustrating still further structural features.

Reference is now made to the drawings wherein there is shown a holding device, generally designated 10, which is particularly suitable for holding a clay supply con- 3,501,0'18 Patented Mar. 17, 1970 tainer 12, typically cylindrical in shape, as well as conventional clay-manipulating implements, herein collectively designated 14, such that the clay supply and the implements 14 are advantageously presented for use to the sculptor. In addition to this convenient presentation, the holding device is also efiiciently adapted to accommodate a wide range of diameters of containers 12 due to noteworthy constructural features now to be described in detail.

The holding device 10 includes a generally planar base panel or member 16 which, as best shownin the elevational views of FIGS. 2, 3, is supported in a clearance position with respect to a support surface S by a conventional rotating support means 18 of the type commonly used for so-called lazy susie serving dishes. Appropriately joined to the upper surface 16a of the base member 16, and more particularly at opposite ends 1 thereof, are two upstanding structures consisting of converging walls 20 and 22. Thus, the walls 20, 22 in their aflixed position on the base member 16, achieved as for example by an adhesive attachment between the edges of the walls 20, 22 in contact with the base upper surface 16a, cooperative with the end portions of the base member 16 to define a triangular construction which, as generally understood, is characterized by inherent sturdiness and rigidity.

Of particular significance is the spacing of the inner facing walls 22 so as to leave exposed a medial section 1612 of the base member 16 with which the inner facing walls 22 cooperate to define a storage compartment C for the clay supply containers 12. Further due to the inclination of the inner walls 22, the compartment C is of progressively diminishing extent and consequently is efficiently adapted to accommodate a wide range of diameters of containers 12. This is best illustrated by the showing of the containers 12, 12 in full line and phantom line prospective in FIG. 2.

Since the rotative axis of the support means 18 and the compartment C are both centrally located in the holding device 10 any tipping that may otherwise result from rotative movement of the comparatively heavy clay being stored within the container v12 is minimized. Further, in the preferred embodiment as illustrated herein, the two walls 22 and section 16b which bound the compartment C are preferably lined with suction-cup means 24, of conventional construction, which serve to engage and thereby hold the container 12 and thus contribute to the firmness with which the container is held. It will be understood. however, that the larger diameter containers 12' will readily assume an operative wedged-in fit between the inclined facing walls 22, particularly under the weight of the clay supply in the container.

With the container 12 in its operative wedged-in fit within the compartment C removal of the container cover 12a conveniently presents the clay within the con tainer to the sculptor, or, assuming that the clay supply is intended for more than one sculptor, the rotative movement on the support means 18 contributes to the convenience of use by these several sculptors. In typical contemplated uses, as for example in nurseries, art schools or similar environments, the holder 10, laid on its side, is readily moved through rotative positions placing the open mouth thereof in front of the child who then merely reaches within the container opening and removes a desired quantity of clay and then rotates the can or container into position for the next pupil.

As clearly shown, advantageous use is made of the inclination of the outer walls 20 by the mounting thereon of a series of pegs 26 which are projected through openings 14a in the upper ends of the implements '14 thereby permitting the hanging of the implements 14 in contact with the sloping walls 20. Additionally, the triangular @aamems far-men by the outer was 20 with tile lner walls 22 may be effectively used for storage.

Completing the construction of the holding device 10 a rubber tipped leg 28 pivotally mounted, as at 28a, to support 28b connected between the facing walls 22 and, peratively effective after a pivotal traverse to have its i-bber tip engage the support surfaces S to thereby hold is holding device 10 against rotation.

A latitude of modification, change and substitution is itended in the foregoing disclosure and in some instances )me features of the invention will be employed without corresponding use of other features. Accordingly, it is ppropriate that the appended claims be construed broadand in a manner consistent to the spirit and scope of re invention herein.

What is claimed is: p

1. A holding device for a cylindrical shaped. clay supply Jntainer and for plural clay-manipulating implements Jmpri-sing a base member, means rotatably supporting rid base member in a clearance position relative to a lpport surface, an upstanding pair of converging walls cated adjacent each opposite end of said base member 10h that the innermost facing walls thereof cooperate 'ith a medial portion of said base member to define thereetween a clay supply container compartment of proressively diminishing extent for accommodating said 2. A holding device for a cylindrical shaped clay supply container and for plural clay-manipulating implements as defined in claim 1 including suction cup means arranged on at least said innermost facing walls for firmly engaging said clay supply container.

3. A holding device for a cylindrical shaped clay supply container and for plural clay-manipulating implements as defined in claim 1 inculding a pi-votally mounted leg operatively arranged for movement of its free end into contact with said support surface to hold said base member against rotation.

4. A holding device for a cylindrical shaped clay supply container and for plural clay-manipulating impleylind-rical shaped clay supply container in an operative ments as defined in claim 3 wherein the rotational axis of said device is located centrally of said clay supply container compartment such that tipping thereof as may 'be due to the weight of the clay in said supply container during rotative movement is minimized.

References Cited UNITED STATES PATENTS 986,972 3/1911 Friedlande-r 211-131 1,643,477 9/1927 Warren 211-131 X 1,801,058 4/1931 Sutclilfe 21l-163 2,888,306 5/1959 Sease et al 211163 X JAMES A. LEPPINK, Primary Examiner US. Cl. X.R. 

